Chapter III

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A RIDE IN THE DARK.

possessing life

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

a quantity of money

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He knew now that he had been greatly mistaken in some opinions he had hitherto entertained.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

confusion resulting from failure to understand

From this reading It was no wonder that the boy was overwhelmed with fear and bewilderment.

a youthful male person

From this reading It was no wonder that the boy was overwhelmed with fear and bewilderment.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

past form of “care” — feel concern or interest

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading TO DESCRIBE the feelings with which Julian Mortimer listened to the conversation we have just recorded were impossible.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading A RIDE IN THE DARK.

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

give a description of

From this reading TO DESCRIBE the feelings with which Julian Mortimer listened to the conversation we have just recorded were impossible.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

pleasantly occupied

From this reading He knew now that he had been greatly mistaken in some opinions he had hitherto entertained.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading It was no wonder that the boy was overwhelmed with fear and bewilderment.

emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)

From this reading TO DESCRIBE the feelings with which Julian Mortimer listened to the conversation we have just recorded were impossible.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading He knew now that he had been greatly mistaken in some opinions he had hitherto entertained.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He knew now that he had been greatly mistaken in some opinions he had hitherto entertained.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading TO DESCRIBE the feelings with which Julian Mortimer listened to the conversation we have just recorded were impossible.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He knew now that he had been greatly mistaken in some opinions he had hitherto entertained.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading He knew now that he had been greatly mistaken in some opinions he had hitherto entertained.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading TO DESCRIBE the feelings with which Julian Mortimer listened to the conversation we have just recorded were impossible.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A RIDE IN THE DARK.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was no wonder that the boy was overwhelmed with fear and bewilderment.

Roman Emperor and nephew of Constantine; he restored paganism as the official religion of the Roman Empire and destroyed Christian temples but his decision was reversed after his death (331?-363)

From this reading TO DESCRIBE the feelings with which Julian Mortimer listened to the conversation we have just recorded were impossible.

and nothing more

From this reading TO DESCRIBE the feelings with which Julian Mortimer listened to the conversation we have just recorded were impossible.

cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He knew now that he had been greatly mistaken in some opinions he had hitherto entertained.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading TO DESCRIBE the feelings with which Julian Mortimer listened to the conversation we have just recorded were impossible.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment

From this reading He knew now that he had been greatly mistaken in some opinions he had hitherto entertained.

English nobleman who deposed Edward II and was executed by Edward III (1287-1330)

From this reading TO DESCRIBE the feelings with which Julian Mortimer listened to the conversation we have just recorded were impossible.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

not any; not one

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He knew now that he had been greatly mistaken in some opinions he had hitherto entertained.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

plural of “opinion” — a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading He knew now that he had been greatly mistaken in some opinions he had hitherto entertained.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

past form of “overwhelm” — overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli

From this reading It was no wonder that the boy was overwhelmed with fear and bewilderment.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

set down or registered in a permanent form especially on film or tape for reproduction

From this reading TO DESCRIBE the feelings with which Julian Mortimer listened to the conversation we have just recorded were impossible.

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading A RIDE IN THE DARK.

a cruel and brutal fellow

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

only a very short time before

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading He knew now that he had been greatly mistaken in some opinions he had hitherto entertained.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He knew now that he had been greatly mistaken in some opinions he had hitherto entertained.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A RIDE IN THE DARK.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading TO DESCRIBE the feelings with which Julian Mortimer listened to the conversation we have just recorded were impossible.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

precisely as stated

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading TO DESCRIBE the feelings with which Julian Mortimer listened to the conversation we have just recorded were impossible.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading TO DESCRIBE the feelings with which Julian Mortimer listened to the conversation we have just recorded were impossible.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading TO DESCRIBE the feelings with which Julian Mortimer listened to the conversation we have just recorded were impossible.

during the time that

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

which person or people

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

disposed or inclined toward

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.

in the company of; together with

From this reading TO DESCRIBE the feelings with which Julian Mortimer listened to the conversation we have just recorded were impossible.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading It was no wonder that the boy was overwhelmed with fear and bewilderment.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading He had told himself but a few minutes before that there was no one on earth who cared whether he lived or died; but scarcely had the thought passed through his mind before he became aware that there were at least two persons in the world who were deeply interested in that very matter—so much so that one was willing to pay a ruffian a thousand dollars to kill him, while the other had offered five times that amount to have him delivered into his hands alive and well.